Today we grieve the tremendous loss of Ed (Nick) Nickerson and fondly remember him.  Today, the world is not a better place…it just isn’t.

First, we would like to recognize the Sue, Jenny, Jeff, (Name all the children) and others who helped Nick carry his cross for the last several years.  This sacrifice did not go unnoticed.  Thank you.

Who are we? Some of us were regular attendees of the Dover Foxcroft Assembly of God Church.  Others were not but found a refuge there.  Most of us,  were raised in great homes, others not so much.  We liked different music, had different hairstyles, enjoyed different things. Like every other young adult, we were trying to fit the previous generation’s expectations while developing in our own culture. Even in Piscataquis County, we were a diverse bunch of teenagers later known as Generation X. We were just typical teenagers, some of us struggled adapting to expectations, and dealing with things that all teen’s face; we all had a desire to just be one of the crowd, and be accepted “as is”; we wanted to develop our imaginations and life’s goal and for it to be “OK”.  We were just typical teens that craved the acceptance from respectable adults.

Over the years, we had many youth leaders come and go.  While all were great individuals with good intentions, it seemed as soon as we adapted to them, they were gone.  However, we did have one solid, steadfast, mentor….Nick.  He was always there… before, during, and after. 

Beginning in the late 1970’s Nick was a youth leader (Royal Rangers) at church.  He was not the prototypical youth leader.  He thought it proper to provide relevant guidance under Biblical constructs to real-world situations..  He conducted hunter safety classes in the church basement, took us fly fishing, ice fishing, mountain climbing, camping, 4-wheeling, canoeing, on nature trails, taught us sports ethics, snowmobiling, took us on a tour of the local fire barn, and even opened his home for teen socials.   Marr Pond, Center Pond, Harlow Pond, Manhannok Pond, Moosehead Lake, Piscataquis River; Mounts Katadin, Boarstone, and Barron. You name it, Nick took us there. “There weren’t a puddle we didn’t drown a lure in” He taught us critical thinking…science…ethics… how to listen to understand and not listen to argue...how to simply be a good person to everyone. 

He did not shun anyone even if they did not fit in with the prevailing cultural norms of the day.  We could talk to him; while he never deviated from Biblical ways, we were never judged by him.  He always made a point to sincerely “see how you are doing.”  Sometimes, to a young adult, that makes a significant difference between a good or very bad day.  Nick never inserted himself in our lives, but was always there when needed.  On our group journeys, he made sure the “least of us” was comforted, fed, and built up, with no regard to who they were, their social status, or what they may have done.  On more than one occasion, was a hand that lifted some out of a deep dark place.

Nick has made a marked difference in the lives of many people, especially us.  We are now married, have children and grand children who are treated in a manner that may not have been had it not been for Nick.  From Maine to California, Nick has made a difference in people’s lives nearly 40 years later.  He is still an example for us all to strive to achieve.  Nick was a paradigm we wanted to be like.

Today is a very sad day to all of us here.  Nick’s death is final.  However, death is most limited.  Death released Nick from his suffering. Death can never take away the positive influence Nick had on our lives that has and will extend for generations to come.  Death can never erase the great memories Nick made possible.  Death cannot undo the ethics and moral principles we have instilled in us, our children, and grand children that we got from Nick. 

Death is limited, has no sting, has no power.  Death had no authority over Jesus Christ and death will have no authority over Edward Nickerson when He returns. 

See you shortly Nick….

Signed,

Matt Farrar

All of us ……. “Been doing any fishin’ lately?”